Back to Fitness
Now that the kids are back to school, life runs on a schedule. So when you drop off the kids in the morning, swing by the gym. It’ll start your day out right.
Summer Fun Takes a Toll on Fitness
Even with the best intentions to maintain a fitness routine throughout the year, it’s common for the summer season to be a hard time to maintain your workout goals and motivation. Mostly, it’s because the kids are home from school, which means it’s tough to maintain a routine; whether you are skipping for a pool day or you are heading out of town for a week or two at a time, it’s common for exercise to fall lower on the list of summer priorities.
But it’s September. You’ve had your summer fun. So now, with the kids back in school, it’s time to buckle down and get back to the gym.
Benefits of Getting Back to the Gym
Sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to get back to your workout routine; breaking the habit throws off the schedule, which means that you need to be deliberate about re-creating your fitness routine again. If you want to find more motivation to get back to the gym, then consider these important benefits of regular workouts:
Burn Fat: Did the summer BBQs and ice cream parties take a toll on your physique? If you are carrying a few extra pounds of fat after the summer festivities, then it’s time to get back to work again. Regular exercise is effective for fat burning, especially when you pair it with a healthy diet.
Improve Confidence: Weight gain often takes a toll on a person’s self-confidence. If you aren’t feeling good about your appearance right now, then remember that you can turn things around by getting back to the gym and starting into your fitness routine again.
Clothing Fit: Changes in body composition definitely have an effect on the way your clothing fits. Instead of having “fat pants” and “skinny pants” that you wear depending on your current weight, use the tightness of your pants as a clue for when you need to get back to the gym. It feels good to tone the muscles and lose a little extra fat so your clothing fits like it should.
Create Visisble Muscle Definition: Muscle-building exercises, such as weight lifting and HIIT training, are excellent for creating the body shape that you desire.
Energy and Vitality: Regular exercise is key to help you have plenty of energy to make it through the day. When you are exercising and including cardio in your routine, then you’ll find it easier to keep up with the kids and enjoy your favorite active hobbies.
How to Make It Happen
Here are a few strategies to get you back on track after summer hiatus:
Start Slowly: In the beginning, set your expectations low. Remember that if you go too hard, too fast, then there is a higher risk of injury. So, start with lower-impact exercises and shorter fitness sessions. Over time, you can increase your intensity and schedule.
Set Realistic Achievable Goals: Choose a few goals that you want to achieve and find someone, either a friend or a personal trainer, to hold you accountable. The best types of goals prioritize the day-in-day-out habits instead of the end result. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose 10 pounds, decide that your goal is to have 3 weight-lifting sessions and 2 cardio sessions each week. When you follow these process goals, then your results goal will naturally align.
Find a Buddy: Having accountability is a great way to stay on track with your fitness goals. Meeting a friend or having a fitness trainer increases the likelihood that you will actually show up for your scheduled workout session.
Put it on the Calendar: Prioritizing your health means that you need to make sure you have time blocked off on the calendar to go to the gym. Figure out the time of day that works best for your fitness routine. Some parents prefer early mornings and spend time in the gym before the kids wake up for school. Other parents find it easier to drop the kids off to school, then head to the gym immediately. After work or weekends are also great options.
Track and Monitor Progress: Keep a detailed workout log or use a fitness app to track your progress. Record the weights lifted, number of repetitions, and sets for each exercise. Monitoring your progress allows you to identify trends, celebrate achievements, and make informed decisions about when and how to apply progressive overload (gradually increasing the intensity or difficulty of workouts over time). Also, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day! Keeping track of your workouts can help you see the small victories along the way and remind you that you are, in fact, improving. Be patient with yourself and trust the process!
Explore our Group Training: If you’re more of a group fitness fan, spice up your routine by trying a new group training at Success Studio; it can keep you motivated and on your way towards consistency and results. The workouts you show up for are the ones you enjoy, so if you despise running, treadmill workouts probably aren’t the way to go. Adding some variety to your structured plan can reignite your passion for fitness and keep things fun.
Embarking on the journey back to the gym may seem daunting, but with a thoughtful approach and commitment to consistency, you can establish a routine that sticks for the long haul. Remember, it’s okay and encouraged to take it slow, listen to your body, and enjoy the process. When you are ready to get started, click the button below for a complimentary assessment with a certified Success Studio personal trainer. Our trainers are here to support your fitness journey, and are looking forward to helping you to get back in the gym!